Rendering of the John Nolen Drive causeway reconstruction, one of the projects at risk
Lots of things are happening at the federal level, and the League of American Bicyclists alerted us of a potential cut to any federal transportation funding that involves bike lanes. For Madison, this would likely delay or stop projects such as the John Nolen Drive Causeway reconstruction, or the dozens of projects funded through the city’s Safe Streets and Road for All grant. Please sign the petition to oppose these cuts, in Madison and nationwide. Here’s the Bike League’s message:
We need your help. Reports indicate that federal funding for bike lanes and other important transportation projects may be frozen soon. We know that these projects save lives. And if funding is frozen, many projects already approved for federal funding may never break ground to transform dangerous streets. Those projects already in progress will stop immediately and may never start back up again.
Your voice matters. Help us deliver thousands of messages of support to the Secretary of Transportation.
Tell the Department of Transportation not to freeze these critical transportation funds.
At the March 5 meeting, the transportation commission discussed options for the West Wash-SW path intersection. The city is required by Office of the Commissioner of Railroads to remove the rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) signal currently at the intersection and replace it with a signal that can interact with the railroad signal. This will require installation of a full traffic signal at the intersection. The committee discussed continuing the current lane reduction to 2 lanes vs increasing back to 4 lanes.
The following strategy was approved by the commission:
Remove the RRFB and install a full traffic signal at the intersection. Install a detection system to trigger the traffic signal automatically when bicyclists approach the intersection on the path.
Maintain the current lane reduction test for now. The lane reduction may be temporarily removed during the John Nolen Dr Reconstruction Project if there are safety or operational issues due to detour traffic. After the John Nolan construction is complete, permanently reduce W Washington at this crossing to 2 lanes when funding is available.
Thanks to everyone who submitted comments on this project. They do make a difference.
Shamrock Shuffle
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County is adding a 10km bike ride wave to their Shamrock Shuffle event this year. The event takes place on March 15 and you can get $10 off registration with promo code MADBIKES.
This breakdown is actually a good thing. The Big Breakdown is an event where Bikes for Kids breaks down bikes that are beyond hope to make space for refurbished bikes for 2025. During the event, non-metal parts are removed, parts that can be used to restore other bikes are saved, and the rest of the bike is recycled.
The Big Breakdown happens on Tuesday, March 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. at 354 Coyier Lane in Madison. There is even Northshore pizza for volunteers. Be sure to bring leather gloves to protect your hands from metal. For questions, call the bike center at (608) 405-0385. More information is available at https://bikesforkidswi.org/2025breakdown/ .
In addition to their efforts to distribute hundreds of bicycles to new owners, Bikes for Kids is to be commended for their efforts to recycle and reuse bicycles. Their community bike disposal service is an asset to the community. Join them on Tuesday to assist them in this worthwhile endeavor.
Winter Biking Discussion in the Daily Cardinal
Winter is winding down but it’s not over yet and the mornings can still be nippy. Check out this discussion with Liz Jesse and Alicia Bosscher and the city’s Pedestrian Bicycle Outreach Specialist, Colleen Hayes, in The Daily Cardinal. https://www.dailycardinal.com/article/2025/03/q-a-why-winter-biking-is-feasible-in-madison . Their tips and perspectives on winter biking in Madison are worth a read, particularly if you are new to winter biking or Madison.
That’s it for this week. Lots of events happening, so be sure to check our community calendar.
Participants line up near the start line of the Hugh Jass finale race at Blackhawk in Middleton
Welcome to the Madison Bikes newsletter. I hope you enjoyed the two week fat biking season. Well, that’s over and now it’s False Spring 2 meaning days are getting longer and bike rides are getting slightly warmer and more bearable.
Transportation Commission: W Wash and Transportation Improvement Program
Transportation Commission is meeting on Wednesday at 5 pm. The agenda includes a couple of relevant biking projects: one involving the SW Path crossing at W. Washington and the other about the Transportation Improvement Program.
During this week’s meeting, TC will give an update on the SW Path crossing alternatives. If you aren’t in the loop, the Railroad Commission is requiring that the city remove the Rapid Rectangular Flashing Beacon (RRFB) which was installed in 2017. Back in September 2024, following a series of crashes, this crossing was temporarily narrowed down from 4 total lanes to 2, which decreased crossing time and improved safety for users of the SW Path. Because the RRFB has to be removed, there are two alternative considerations. While both options involve adding a traffic signal to the intersection to stop vehicle traffic for path users to cross, one includes keeping the currently built 4 lanes, while the other involves curb work to permanently narrow it to 2.
The other topic on the agenda is the Transportation Improvement Program. The document lays out the potential road and path projects from 2026-2031, including street reconstructions, resurfacing projects, bikeway and sidewalk additions and improvements, and bridge repair. One notable new path planned for later this year is the bike path along the North side of North Shore Drive (opposite the existing bike path) from the SW Path to Bedford. Infrastructure projects like this path extension take a lot of planning ahead of time, so it’s necessary to plan them well in advance to better anticipate the needs of our growing city. Check out the program slides for more detailed info and all the known projects.
Bike Packing Social Event
Looking ahead to later this month, on March 23rd, Madison Bikes will be hosting a Bike Packing Social community event! We’ll be at the Goodman Community Center at 2 pm to share bike packing stories, gear tips, and get ideas churning for future adventures.
We’ll have brief show-and-tells featuring different gear setups and explanations of what you will need to pull off your own adventure. Presenters will talk about their experiences exploring northern Wisconsin, doing an ultra race around the Netherlands, riding RAGBRAI without having to worry about carrying your gear, and riding through the Alps. After that there will be plenty of time for Q&A, socializing, and planning for getting out there on the next adventure.
If you have Facebook, please let us know you can make it on the event page.
That’s all for this newsletter. Thanks for reading! Hope to see you at the bike packing event or one of our other functions this year.
No foolin’, spring elections are April 1. Madison Bikes has partnered with Madison is for People, Madison Area Community Land Trust, Affordable Housing Action Alliance and Strong Towns Madison on a questionnaire for Madison Common Council candidates covering transportation, housing and sustainability.
Get to know your future representatives and let them know more about you and your concerns by reading and sharing the spring candidate questionnaire when answers are posted starting March 5. Until then, you can help spread the word by asking the candidates in your district if they’ve participated in the questionnaire.
Where are we all going so fast?
What do you know about Vision Zero? How about Safe Streets Madison? For a — begging your pardon — crash course on traffic safety in Madison, look no further than this recent presentation by Yang Tao, the city’s Director of Traffic Engineering. His talk, “Prioritizing Traffic Safety for all Road Users,” was a lunch-and-learn for an audience in City Council District 7, but there’s plenty to glean about the city-wide approach to improving access and eliminating traffic fatalities.
Sneak preview: Mud season
A drastic swing in daytime temperatures will take Madison straight from the deep freeze to a bit of pseudo-spring this week. The high highs will make quick work of the snow, exposing a thick layer of grime on many bike routes.
The good news is … water is liquid at these temperatures. So, while you hang up the balaclava and that extra layer or two you’ve been wearing, considering helping your bike shed some accumulated layers of salt and fresh spatters of sand and mud with a quick shower. Just don’t forget to treat that chain (if you have one) to its own post-shower dose of lubricant to keep it loose and happy.
Madison Bike’s International Winter Bike Day event was a resounding success, drawing around 50 enthusiastic participants despite the chilly weather! We are proud of our community of bike riders who ride in any weather, and the city staff that make it possible.
Transportation Commission’s Transit History Presentation
Illinois Central Lines (1887)
City staff will give a presentation titled, “The History and Future of Madison Transportation” at the Transportation Commission on Wednesday, February, 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM. The presentation will cover the early days of mule-drawn buses, the rise and fall of electric streetcars, and the introduction of bus services that have connected Madison’s neighborhoods over the decades.
Hugh Jass Fat Bike Race
Saturday, February 22, 2025 is the date of the Hugh Jass Bike Race in Middleton, WI, starting at 9 am. Find more information here. What to expect: Get ready for the series finale at Blackhawk!! Machine built singletrack, jump lines, groomed CX ski trails, climbs on the side of a ski hill? You won’t want to miss this one! NOTE: ONLY Fat Bikes (3.7in tire or larger) can ride this one.
Address: 10118 Blackhawk Rd, Middleton, WI 53562
2025 Spring Primary
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Last, but certainly not least, there’s a spring primary election in Wisconsin on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Check your registration here and make sure to have your voice heard at the ballot box!
Last week was a busy week for bicycling in Madison!
On Sunday, we had our last bicycle book club installment for “Killed by a Traffic Engineer.” If you missed it, you can read or listen to this story from WORT-FM to find out more information.
Book club attendees ready for the week’s presentation (h/t Harald Kleims)
There was a lot of action around the repaving/reworking of a lengthy stretch of Midvale Boulevard. Most of this was driven by the raucous public meeting from the week before. With all of the feedback and attention, the city has decided to postpone the work to spring 2026. For a nice overview and some extra context, check out this great Cap Times article.
Sun Prairie was awarded a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly Community from the League of American Bicyclists. You can read the press release from Sun Prairie Moves for the details. Going from Honorable Mention in 2015 to Silver in 2025 is a great accomplishment! Congratulations to everyone involved!
In the Madison Bikes Slack, board member Craig Weinhold noted that last Tuesday the City of Madison held their first all-transportation department meeting in six years. I wonder what could have triggered that? You can watch the entire session on YouTube and maybe find out!
Design drawings sidewalk and bike path improvements at North Shore Drive and JND (City of Madison)
On Friday, celebrate International Winter Bike Day with us!
From 7-9 am: We will be at the Monona Terrace on the Cap City Trail serving up free coffee (courtesy of Cafe Domestique) and doughnuts!
From 4-6 pm: Happy hour at Working Draft (1129 E Wilson St.). Come grab a drink and hang out! Don’t forget your bicycle benefits sticker for 10% off.
For more details I guess you can look at the Facebook event, but only if you’re still clinging to a FB account. Otherwise, tough luck I guess? I’m not bitter, really!
The City has started work to redesign and rethink Mifflin Plaza. This is the underutilized area at the top of State Street, sometimes used for festivals/concerts. It also serves as an important ped, bike and bus thoroughfare. Some of the options include exploring a pedestrian mall, which would be a big shift. The schedule shows arriving at a final design plan by September. That means that now’s a good opportunity to read up on the design considerations and complete the survey.
Pretty much unrelated to anything, but I watched the 2005 film A Bittersweet Life by Kim Jee-woon and found this surprising moment. Transportation policy strife transcends borders and time!
Actual subtitles from A Bittersweet Life (2005) directed by Kim Jee-woon.
Coming Up
I’m already looking forward to Thursday, February 20 and a virtual lunch session led by Dr. Yang Tao, Director of Traffic Engineering, “Prioritizing Traffic Safety for All Road Users: D7 Virtual Lunch and Learn with Traffic Engineering.”
Alder Nasra Wehelie [D7] is excited to continue her Lunch and Learn session for this month, featuring Traffic Engineering on Thursday, February 20, from 12 to 1 p.m. Whether you drive, bike, or walk, this virtual Lunch and Learn will offer residents a unique opportunity to gain insights into traffic safety and infrastructure planning.
If you believe Jimmy the Groundhog in Sun Prairie, we’ll have an early spring. But Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania says six more weeks of winter. Depending on how you feel about cold weather and local vs national prognosticators, you can believe whichever rodent you like. Either way, it’s been an unusually dry winter, so our normal concerns about snow plowing have been mostly moot.
With a gray start to the week, it’s going to be pretty quiet as far as meetings.
The week ahead
Wednesday: Transportation Commission
You can take a look at the agenda and how to watch or participate, but the only interesting item is the quarterly traffic safety reports by the police department. There are lots of charts and numbers about how many tickets and traffic stops they’ve made in various categories. You’ll also see slides about grants, special initiatives such as safety patrols around schools, targeted enforcement, and comparisons to past quarters and years. Each quarter, the MPD also presents a detailed analysis of any traffic fatalities.
If you are a data nerd, there’s lots to work with, although sometimes the categories aren’t always useful. Why are pedestrian and bike safety tickets under “hazardous offenses”? I’ve asked that before, and I don’t even remember the full explanation, but it seems any ticket involving vulnerable users is considered a “hazardous” driving offense. These are almost entirely tickets issued to drivers for not yielding to pedestrians or bicyclists, or some other driving violation, not tickets issued to bicyclists.
Sunday: Third meeting of the book club
The third session of the book club reading “Killed by a Traffic Engineer” meets on Sunday, Feb 9, from 4-6 pm at Machinery Row.
The first session, on Jan 26, focused on community building and allowed participants to discuss initial impressions of the book and some areas of the city that need attention. The second session, on Feb 2, featured presentations from city Transportation, Traffic Engineering, and Engineering staff on city initiatives and how decisions are made on what our streets look like.
The third session, Feb 9, will focus on advocacy and what we as community members can do to help build an all ages and abilities biking city.
Speak up for what you want
During Sunday’s session with city staff, they discussed how during public meetings about road reconstructions, there are many competing interests. Sometimes even the bicyclists testifying don’t agree! There is considerable pushback to change: narrowing lanes, removing parking in favor of bike facilities, and slowing speeds. All of these changes would make walking and biking safer and more pleasant, but neighbors show up en masse to object. As bicyclists (and pedestrians and transit users), we have to be there to show support for the changes the staff has proposed. We have good city staff, but we must provide the public push to show that there is demand for these changes.
Staff mentioned two projects specifically, both of which have been mentioned in Monday updates previously and are being discussed now:
South Stoughton Rd. This is a Wisconsin DOT project, but city staff have weighed in on the side of a slower, narrower boulevard with more crossings. But many people showed up at the public meetings and completed surveys in favor of keeping the road faster and with limited access. You can comment and see information on the project – including slides and alternatives presented at the meetings – on the WisDOT project page.
Midvale Boulevard: Neighbors insist they want parking to remain on the street, but this would make it difficult to add bike lanes between Mineral Point Rd and University Ave. You can watch a recording of the public meeting that happened on Jan 30, see the schedule for a decision on this project, and provide your input via the city project page. There was also an article about the project in the Wisconsin State Journal. Midvale Blvd will be before the Transportation Commission on Feb 19.
In proud-of-Madison-bicyclists news
Lyllie Sonnemann, daughter of former Madison Bikes board member, Emily Sonnemann, has been invited to compete in the World Cyclocross Championships in Leiven, France. Wisconsin has a proud tradition of world cyclocross competitors, with Madisonian Caleb Schwartz competing in the world championships in 2020-2021 and Racine native Kaitlin Keough competing in 2019.
A lot of B’s are in this week’s newsletter title, and not all of them stand for “bike.” There are several public meetings and fun events, and we have a recap of some things that happened last week. Let’s get started.
Midvale Boulevard public meeting
On Thursday at 6:30 PM, the city is holding a public meeting about the resurfacing of Midvale Boulevard from Mineral Point Road to University Ave. Improvements for bike facilities are likely going to be on the menu. Some people have also strongly expressed their support for street parking, which may make some bike improvements difficult or impossible. We’ll see what city staff are going to propose. The meeting is taking place in person at Sequoya Library or online. More information and a sign-up link here: https://www.cityofmadison.com/engineering/projects/midvale-boulevard-resurfacing
As we reported last week, the Transportation Commission discussed the situation at the crossing of the Southwest Path with West Washington Ave last Wednesday. Currently there is a button-activated rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) at the crossing, but the Office of the Commissioner of the Railroads (OCR) has ordered the city to remove the RRFB. City staff presented multiple options for what could replace the RRFB — a full signal, a pedestrian hybrid beacon (formerly known as HAWK signal), or a painted crosswalk without signals — and whether West Wash should go back to 2 lanes in each direction. After a string of crashes this summer, with drivers hitting cyclists in the crossing, the city implemented an experimental lane reduction. The commission provided feedback that staff will now use to develop a proposed solution, to be brought back to another Transportation Commission meeting. Time is tight, as the OCR ordered the city to have a plan submitted by the end of March. The Wisconsin State Journal also covered the discussion, or you can watch the actual meeting on City Channel.
Book club, session 2
The “Killed by a Traffic Engineer” book club, co-organized by the Bike Fed, Machinery Row Cycles, and Madison Bikes, and moderated by District 11 alder Bill Tishler launched yesterday. The second session will take place on February 2 from 4-6 PM. Whereas the first session was in person only, this week you can either join at Machinery Row or by Zoom. More details here. If you can’t make it to the book club, you can watch a webinar with the author here.
Botanizing by Bicycle
On Thursday, head to the Harmony Bar & Grill at 6 PM for a presentation by Wild Ones Madison:
Bike Fitchburg monthly meeting
Bike Fitchburg will have their monthly meeting at the Fitchburg Senior Center in the Syene Room on Monday night at 7 PM. “All who live, work, and/or bike in Fitchburg are welcome to join their voices with ours to make our city an easier, safer, more fun, and more equitable place to bike!”
Save the Date: Winter Bike Day is coming!
International Winter Bike Day is on February 14 and we have planned a few fun things. We’ll share more details soon, or you can check out the Facebook event.
Winter biking photos are the best, but there’s no snow. Here’s a photo by Harold Kliems from last month to get you back in the mood.
Welcome to the update. Not much snow around which makes some happy and others sad. I’m in the sad group but it is a bit easier to get around by bike. Here’s what’s happening this week.
Madison LakeWay Schematic Design – Public Meeting
This is your chance to learn about the proposed lakeshore and path features along the John Nolen Drive causeway. A virtual meeting, held by Madison Parks, will take place on Thursday, January 23rd, from 6:30-8:00 PM. You can register for the meeting here. Parks and design team representatives will present an overview of the master plan recommendations. The project timeline includes completing the schematic design by early 2025, continuing design development through 2026, and construction anticipated to begin in 2027. Here is a link to the draft of the master plan.
From Lake Monona Waterfront Master Plan Draft
Bicycle Book Club
The book:Killed by a Traffic Engineer, by Wes Marshall. The discussion: Moderated by Alder Bill Tishler When/where: Machinery Row Bicycles, Sunday, January 26, 4-6pm Sponsors: Machinery Row Bicycles, Wisconsin Bike Fed, Madison Bikes
Time to start reading if you haven’t already! Hopefully you were able to find a book. As of January 17, Machinery Row reports they have exhausted their second supply of books donated by Madison Bikes. Demand at public libraries is also high, so there appears to be quite a bit of interest. There will be two unique subsequent sessions. One on Feb 2 at Machinery row with a virtual option, and the other live at Machinery Row on Feb 9. For more information on the series click on this link: https://www.machineryrowbicycles.com/articles/bicycle-book-club-pg202.htm
Vision Zero Newsletter
The Vision Zero Quarterly Newsletter was released last week. It includes coverage of the Autumn Ridge Path and school zone safety
Community Survey for Southwest Plan Input
The City of Madison’s Planning Division mailed out postcards on Wednesday, January 15 to a randomly-selected group of people living in the Southwest Area as part of the ongoing Area Plan process. The survey closes on February 10. If you did not receive a survey, you can participate in the survey via a public link. A second survey will be sent out in the spring after feedback from the first survey is received. Survey results will be posted on the project web page later this spring. Here is a link to the Southwest Area Plan Webpage. Check out the Southwest Area Plan interactive commenting map. Cyclists and others have already entered lots of suggestions. You can quickly and easily add your input as well.
Southwest Plan boundaries. City of Madison
– Upcoming Meetings –
Transportation Commission Meeting
The January 22 agenda includes an update on the W Washington at SW Path lane reduction test. Discussion of this item will cover the impacts of interventions such as RRFBs, fully signalizing the intersection, and pedestrian hybrid beacons, as well as the lane reductions. The meeting will be virtual and starts at 5pm. Here is a link to meeting information where you can enter written comments, register to speak at the meeting, and/or view the agenda with attachments.
Area of SW Path-W Wash intersection (City of Madison)
Midvale Resurfacing Project Public Information Meeting
January 30, 6:30pm: Hybrid meeting (live at Sequoya library and via Zoom) The resurfacing project, from Mineral Point to University Ave, provides opportunities for improved safety updates, such as pedestrian crossings, and possibly bike lanes. This is a chance to provide input. More information in next week’s update.
Welcome to the Madison Bikes newsletter! It seems Winter is finally here and those of us who enjoy fat biking, ice skating, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and more are taking what we can get. I hope you all are doing well in whichever way you choose to fight off the Winter blues.
Tom Lynch Retires; City Seeks New Director of Transportation
After 7 years as Director of Transportation, Tom Lynch is retiring. Over his time as Director, Tom has supported active transportation and improving transportation safety through projects such as Vision Zero, Complete Green Streets, and Transportation Demand Management (just to name a few). He has clearly been a strong ally for cycling and other alternatives to driving, and for that, we say a huge THANK YOU and congratulations!
That also means the city is looking for a new Director of Transportation. The new director will be expected to expand on the work Tom has accomplished and lead our growing city into an even more efficient, safe, and equitable transportation future. Experienced urban planners and transportation professionals need only apply here.
Cycling Friends Unite: GearShift Gathering
This Friday, January 17th from 4-7 pm, Bikes for Kids Wisconsin is hosting a GearShift Gathering where local bike nonprofits will meet to socialize, share updates on bicycling projects, and learn about volunteer opportunities. Visitors are more than welcome to attend and learn about what’s going on in the Madison bike scene and how they can get involved. There will be snacks and door prizes, too! If you plan to attend and you have access to Facebook, please RSVP on the event page.
Brazen Dropouts Bike Swap
Polish up your spare bike parts and get ready to haggle. Bike enthusiasts will not want to miss the annual Brazen Dropouts Bike Swap this Saturday, January 18th from 10 am – 1 pm at the Alliant Energy Center. If you haven’t been to this event before, the exhibition hall with be filled with tables full of used and new bike parts, accessories, and gear, along with a corral of complete bikes available to be test ridden.
The bike swap will take place in the New Holland Pavilion, where parking is available for $8, or ride your bike for free! While you do not need bring anything to “swap,” if you (and 2 friends) have surplus bike parts or gear you want to sell, you can sign up to be a vendor. As of the time of writing this, there are still tables available. You can also bring complete bikes to sell along with a completed Bike Corral form, no table required. The form and all other bike swap info can be found on the website linked at the top of this section.
Be aware that there is a cost if you want to shop early for the best selection:
$10 early bird admission 10am-11am $5 general admission 11am-12pm $0 free admission 12pm-1pm
The swap will be sure to have some great deals, and it supports reusing bikes and parts that still have a lot of life left in them!
That’s all we have for you this week. Hope to see you at an upcoming event and thanks for being part of the Madison Bikes community.
